History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 65

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. II > Part 65

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Gradually the "robe of flesh" wasted and weakened. but the immortal light beamed from her face in ever increasing beauty and radiance, until the tired lids for the last time closed over "the win- dows of the soul." In all her pain and weariness and long night vigils she was calm and patient and heroic. She was sustained by the undying faith in her Lord and Redeemer. The great desire of her heart was to throw off this "mortal coil" which bound her to the earth so that her spirit might soar to the mansions prepared for her in the glo-

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rious realms above. She loved her Master. Her life was devoted to Him. To the limit of her strength she worked for Him. In the hour of death and in the dark and chilling waters, she leaned upon His everlasting arms, and her last faintly articulated words were, "I want to go home today."

CHARLES E. JOHNSON, postmaster of the city of Bridgewater, is the son of Joseph and Louise Johnson, and was born in Byron, Ogle county, Illinois, on the 27th day of August, 1856. His father was a native of Sweden, and when a young man married, in Europe, Miss Louise Daniels, who was born and reared in Scotland. Shortly after his marriage he came to the United States and settled in Ogle county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life as a prosperous and contented tiller of the soil. Seven children were born to Joseph and Louise Johnson, five of whom survive, namely: John, of Winnebago county, Illinois ; August, a business man of Chi- cago; Charles E., of this review; Mrs. Minnie Osborn and Laura, the last two living in the city of Chicago.

Charles E. Johnson grew up under the health- ful influence of farm life, and remained at home until twenty years old, obtaining the meanwhile a fair educational training in the public schools of his native place. Leaving home at the age noted, he went to Chicago and after working about two years on the street cars of that city, spent one year with a civil engineering corps surveying a line of the Milwaukee Railroad, be- tween the towns of Savannah and Elgin. In 1879 he went to Nebraska, where he purchased land and for two years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, disposing of his real estate at the expi- ration of that time and in 1881 locating at Bridge- water, South Dakota. Mr. Johnson came to McCook county when the country was new, con- sequently enjoyed exceptional advantages in the way of making a judicious selection of land. Purchasing a half section about four miles north of the town, he at once addressed himself to the task of its improvement and in due time had a good farm under successful cultivation, from

which he soon began to realize a comfortable in- come. He continued agriculture and stock rais- ing with success and profit until the spring of 1903, when he retired from farm life to enjoy the fruits of his many years of well-directed la- bor.

Mr. Johnson has been quite prominent in the affairs of McCook county ever since becoming a resident of the same and at different times he has been honored with important official posi- tions, one of the first being that of township treasurer, in which he served for a period of eighteen consecutive years. A stanch Repub- lican, he early became one of the party leaders in this county and in recognition of his valuable political services, as well as by reason of his peculiar fitness for the position, he was elected in 1893 to the upper house of the general as- sembly. His career as a legislator proving em- inently satisfactory to his constituency, he was re-elected in 1897, being the only man in McCook county chosen the second time to the senate. Mr. Johnson was an indefatigable worker while in the legislature, served on several important com- mittees, was influential in the general delibera- tions of the body, and as one of the Republican leaders succeeded in bringing about the enactment of a number of laws which have had important bearing upon the interests of the state. He is now a member of the Republican state central committee, in which capacity he has rendered valuable service to his party. He has also served on the central committee of McCook county, and as a further evidence of his faithful and efficient service he was appointed by President McKin- ley, in 1897, postmaster of Bridgewater, which position lie still holds, having been re-appointed in February, 1902, by President Roosevelt. In addition to the offices referred to, Mr. Johnson was for nineteen years a member of the Emery township school board, during which time he labored earnestly to advance educational inter- ests, making the schools among the best in the state; he was president of the board, during the greater part of his incumbency and in that ca- pacity succeeded in introducing a number of re- forms, erected several fine modern buildings, and

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brought the educational system up to its present high standard of efficiency.

Mr. Johnson was married, in 1884, to Miss Jennie Campbell, of Byron, Illinois, and is the father of two children, Margaret, a graduate of the normal department of Huron College, and Mary, who is also an educated and cultured young lady, both daughters living at home with their parents.

Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a Mason of high degree, belonging to Eureka Lodge, No. 71, at Bridgewater ; Salem Chapter. No. 34. Royal Arch Masons, and Salem Commandery. Knights Templar. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in both of which organiza- tions he has held important positions.

BERNARD SLOWEY, a leading representa- tive of the business interests of Irene, South Da- kota, was born in Wisconsin, October 3, 1852, his parents being Patrick and Catherine ( McCabe) Slowey, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1814 and was a young man when he came to the new world and took up his residence in Wisconsin, where he carried on operations as a farmer for several years with good success. In 18,2 he brought his family to South Dakota and took up three hundred and twenty acres of gov- ernment land in Yankton county. He made the journey overland by teams. His first home in this state was a log house with a dirt roof, and he used oxen as well as horses in breaking his land. He continued to improve and cultivate his land until he had a good farm and he continued to make his home thereon until his death, which occurred in February, 1902. His wife had died in August, 1884. Both were devout members of the Catholic church and he was a Democrat in his political affiliations.

In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, of whom Bernard is the eldest. Cath- erine is now the wife of Patrick Cunningham, a farmer residing in Utica. Yankton county. Mary is the wife of Michael Cunningham, also a resi- dent of Utica. Thomas lives on the old home-

stead. John married Tracie Burns and is engaged in farming in Yankton county. Elizabeth is the wife of James Murray, a resident of Irene. Pat- rick is represented on another page of this vol- ume. Ellen is the wife of Mat Murray, who makes his home in Yankton. Peter married Maud Cook and lives on the old homestead. All were given good educational advantages and Ellen taught school for one term. They are now well situated in life.

Bernard Slowey passed his boyhood and youth in Wisconsin and was about twenty years of age when he came with his father to Yankton county, South Dakota. Six years later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land in this county, nine miles west of Irene, and he broke and improved the place, converting it into a fine farm. He was married in 1878 to Miss Isa- belle McKeachie, by whom he has had eight children. Three of the number are now de- ceased, three others are married and two are still at home with their parents.

Renting their farms in the winter of 1902-3, Mr. Slowey and his brother Patrick moved their families to Irene, where they have erected nice homes. They also built a first-class livery and feed stable and are now in control of the best business of the kind in town. The subject is in- dependent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party and he and his family are com- municants of the Catholic church.

STENGRIM HINSETH, a practical and en- terprising agriculturist of Yankton county, was born on the 27th of March, 1842, in Thronhjem Stift, Norway, in which country his parents, In- gebrigt and Maret Hinseth, spent their entire lives. In their family were nine children, the subject being the next to the youngest. He re- mained in Norway until after reaching man's es- tate and was there married in 1868 to Miss Ca- rie Sesager. One child was born to them in that country and in 1870 the young couple with their baby came to the new world, their destina- tion being Yankton county, South Dakota, where Mr. Hinseth took up one hundred and sixty acres

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of government land two miles west of Irene. Their first home here was a little dugout, where the family lived in true pioneer style, while Mr. Hinseth converted the wild land into well-tilled fields, breaking the sod with ox-teams. The grasshoppers destroyed his crops on more than one occasion, but he steadily and persistently worked his way upward to the goal of success and is today one of the wealthiest men of his community. In 1878 he secured a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres and has since added to his property until he now owns six hundred acres of fine land, worth fifty dollars per acre. Two hundred acres of this is devoted to pastur- age, as he is extensively engaged in the raising and feeding of stock of all kinds, including horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He is also finan- cially interested in a creamery and elevator at Trene and a flouring mill at Volin. Upon his farm he erected an elegant frame house in 1901 and has also built a fine barn and other outbuild- ings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Hinseth's first wife died on the 15th of September, 1877, leaving three children, and in 1878 he wedded Miss Mattie Christine Stoem. by whom he has six children. The family con- sists of Maret, now the wife of John Ellifson, a farmer of Yankton county; Ingeborg, deceased ; Hannah C .: Albert and Olive, both deceased ; Albert O., Ole S. and Ida M., at home. The children have had good school privileges, and the daughters have taken lessons on the piano. Mr. and Mrs. Hinseth are members of the Lutheran church and he affiliates with the Republican party. He has held some minor offices and gives his sup- port to all measures calculated to promote the moral, educational and material welfare of the community in which he lives.

PATRICK SLOWEY, of Irene, was born on the 16th of January, 1865, in Wisconsin, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine ( McCabe) Slowey, who are mentioned more fully in the sketch of Bernard Slowey on another page of this volume. When a little lad of seven summers the subject

was brought by his parents to South Dakota and here he grew to manhood amid pioneer scenes, assisting his father in the development and culti- vation of the home farm until after he attained his majority. He not only gained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits but also ob- tained a good practical education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-six he bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land from his father. and in due time transformed the place into a good farm. In the winter of 1902-3 he rented the farm and removed to Irene, where in partnership with his brother Bernard he has since engaged in the livery business with good success. They are also interested in raising horses and are good judges of fine stock.

On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Slowey married Miss Ellen Murray, and to them have been born six children. They are members of the Catholic church and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Im- proved Order of Red Men. He is not bound by party ties, but votes for the men whom he be- lieves best qualified for office. Pleasant and gen- ial in manner, he is very popular in social circles and is well liked by all who know him.

HERMAN FRIER, a well-known citizen of Irene, now living a retired life, is a native of the fatherland, born in Prussia, Germany, January 2, 1830, and is a son of William and Caroline ( Gun- ter ) Frier, who were life-long residents of Prus- sia. They had but two children and the younger, William, never came to the United States, but died in Germany.

Herman Frier was reared and educated in his native land and continued to make his home there until 1854, when he crossed the ocean and settled in Wisconsin, making his home in that state until 1870. In the meantime he was married, in 1857, to Miss Julia A. Wheeler, a daughter of John B. and Minnie (Hittenrod) Wheeler, who were natives of Saxony, Germany, and came to the United States in 1851, their remaining days being spent in Wisconsin. By occupation Mr. Wheeler was both a farmer and shoemaker. His children

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were John, Frank, Herman, Joseph, Sana, Eliza, Mary, Minnie and Julia. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frier, namely : Charles F., who is now quite well-to-do and lives in Wis- consin ; Mary, deceased; Sarah, wife of William Patrick, of Kansas; Emma ; Louis W. and Anna R., both deceased; Delia M .; Matilda I .; George H., who is running a dray line in Irene; Joseph A .: Arthur E., who is operating the home farm for his father; and Florence J., deceased.

Before leaving Germany Mr. Frier had learned the miller's trade, which he followed for many years after coming to this country, and he repaired and put in operation a number of mills in South Dakota, having removed to Riverside township, Clay county, in 1870. Later he was engaged in milling in Lodi for nine years. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land in Clay county, while he greatly im- proved, setting out trees and erecting a good brick residence and a barn at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. He was one of the first settlers of that locality, the Indians being still quite numerous when he took up his residence there. His fam- ily then numbered a wife and five children, and his possessions consisted of one team of horses and a cow, but he steadily set to work to improve his fortunes and success attending his effort he is now able to lay aside all business cares and live retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil.

When his adopted country became involved in civil war Mr. Frier offered his services to the government, enlisting in 1863 in Company D. Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. This regiment reinforced the Red river expedition and took part in the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi. It then marched through Arkansas to Little Rock, and on to Missouri in pursuit of General Price, taking part in the engagement at Waynesburg. From there they went to St. Louis and proceeded thence to Nashville, where they were engaged in battle. Later they went to New Orleans and as- sisted in the capture of Spanish Fort, after which they proceeded to Montgomery, Alabama. While stationed in that city peace was declared and the news came of President Lincoln's assassination. Mr. Frier was confined in the hospital at Mem-

phis, Tennessee, for some time, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge and returned home. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles and while residing in Clay county, South Dakota, he took quite an active part in public affairs, now serving his third term as alderman of Irene, as assessor of his township, and as school director for thirty years. He belongs to no church, being a free- thinker, but his life has been upright and honor- able in all respects and no man in the community stands in higher regard than Herman Frier.

NELS C. ANDREWS, who is now acting as manager for J. H. Queal & Company, of Minne- apolis, his home being in Irene, was born on the 14th of August, 1868, in Racine, Wisconsin, and is a son of Christ and Marie ( Nielsen) Christen- sen, natives of Denmark. Coming to America in 1868 the father first settled in Wisconsin, where he made his home until 1877, and then removed to Turner county, South Dakota. There he secured one hundred and sixty acres of government land and for several years devoted his time and en- ergies to the improvement and cultivation of his place, though by trade he is a wagonmaker, hav- ing followed that occupation in the old coun- try. He also worked with a brother at wagon- making in Racine, Wisconsin, and to his own in- dustry, perseverance and economy is due his suc- cess in life. In religious faith he is a Baptist and in politics is an ardent Republican. His family consists of six children, namely : Christine, now the wife of Nick Nielson, a farmer ; Tillie; John, who married Minnie Olson; Mary, wife of C. F. Frederickson, a farmer of Turner county, South Dakota; Anton, who is operating the home place for his father ; and Nels C., of this review.

Nels C. Andrews spent his early life upon a farm and had good educational advantages. After attending the public schools for some years he entered Sioux Falls College at Sioux Falls, in 1896, completing the scientific course and gradu- ating with the class of 1899. For ten years he successfully engaged in teaching school in Turner county, being in charge of the city school at

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Viborg a part of the time, but as previously stated he now holds the position of manager for J. H. Queal & Company, at Irene, Yankton county.

In 1895 Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Christine Olson, a daughter of Christ and Marie (Nelson) Olson, who were born in Den- mark and are now living in Turner county, South Dakota. Her father is a very up-to-date and prosperous farmer, being now the owner of eleven hundred and twenty acres of good farm land in this state. He has a family of five chil- dren, namely : Christine, Nels, Frank, Victor and Arthur. The sons are still at home. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are Ru- bie V., Una Z., Pearl B. and Newell C.

Although comparatively a young man, Mr. Andrews has already met with fair success in life and is the owner of some town property in Irene. He is an honored member of several civic soci- eties, belonging to the Masonic lodge at Center- ville: Yankton Consistory, No. 1; the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 2323: the Danish Broth- erhood, No. 141 : and the Order of Home Guard- ians, No. 2. Politically he is a stalwart Demo- crat, and he has taken quite an active and influ- ential part in local politics. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as justice of the peace, town clerk, alderman and mayor of Irene and his offi- cial duties have always been discharged in a commendable and satisfactory manner.

JAMES LINCOLN STEWART, M. D., conspicuous among the leading physicians and surgeons of Irene, is a native of Minnesota and the son of William Riley and Albina Stewart, the father born in Connecticut, and still living, hale and hearty at the age of eighty-eight, the mother also living and in her seventy-sixth year, having been born and reared in the state of New York. William Riley Stewart is the son of Marvin and Mehitable (Clark) Stewart, the former of Scotch lineage, although a native of England, the latter a descendant of one of the earliest white families of the United States, several members of which, in an early day, intermarried with various Indian

tribes. The aboriginal strain has been apparent in the family for a number of generations, and, far from being deplored, those inheriting the blood are proud of the fact, the Doctor in partic- ular, as it has had much to do in making him a genuine American and giving him much more than ordinary interest in the land of his nativity. Albina Drew, who married William Riley Stew- art, is the daughter of Gilbert and Mary (De- bow) Drew, both members of old and highly re- spected families of York state, the former a son of Samuel and Mollie (Townsend) Drew, the latter of Garret and Elizabeth ( Barnnes) Debow. The most remote ancestor on the maternal side of whom the Doctor has any definite knowledge is his great-great-grandfather, Gilbert Drew, fa- ther of the Samuel Drew, who married Mollie Townsend, as noted above.

Dr. James Lincoln Stewart was born Novem- ber 22, 1865, in Minnesota City, and spent his youthful years on a farm, working in the sum- mer time and attending the public schools of winter seasons, until attaining his majority. Meantime the intellectual discipline received in the schools of his native town was supplemented by a course at the State Normal School at Winona, where he was graduated in 1886, and later he attended for some time the State University, de- voting a part of the interim to agricultural pur- suits and teaching, in this way earning means to defray the expenses of his collegiate training. Having decided to make medicine his life work, Dr. Stewart, after a preliminary course of reading under the direction of a competent instructor, en- tered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, from which institution he was gradu- ated in 1893, and immediately thereafter he be- gan the practice of his profession at Hurly, South Dakota. After remaining eight months at that village, he sought a new and wider field in the town of Irene, at which place he is still located. The Doctor early associated himself with the progressive members of the profession, and has availed himself of every possible opportunity to enlarge his knowledge and perfect his skill, be- ing at this time identified with the South Da- kota State Medical Society, Sioux Falls Medical

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Association, the American Medical Temperance Association and the American Medical Associa- tion, holding at this writing the position of sec- retary of the South Dakota State Medical Soci- ety and serving in the same capacity with the Association of State Medical Secretaries. For several years he was a member of the legislative committee of the South Dakota Medical Society and while serving as such was instrumental in bringing about much important medical legisla- tion. He was elected, in 1902, a member of the house of delegates of the American Medical As- sociation, which held its sessions at Saratoga Springs, New York, in June of that year.

Dr. Stewart exemplifies in his own life the theories which he advocates and for which he has long contended, that good health can only be secured and maintained by strict observance of temperance and correct living. To this end he has always been a total abstainer from every- thing in the shape of intoxicants, has never used tobacco in any form, and believing tea and coffee to be harmful in their effects upon the human system, discards both beverages, besides being temperate in the use of food and abstaining from all habits and indulgences calculated in any way to interfere with the normal functions of any of the bodily powers, at the same time maintaining that serenity of mind is necessary to equanimity and harmony in the human organism. He has unbounded faith in his chosen calling and believes that when properly applied, there is no profes- sion which is so potent in uplifting the human race physically, morally and intellectually.

Politically, Dr. Stewart yields allegiance to no party, being independent in the matter of vot- ing and supporting the principles which in his judgment best conduce the public good. While manifesting but little interest in secret fraternal organizations, he nevertheless holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, Broth- erhood of American Yeoman and Order of Home Guardians societies, and in religion subscribes to the Baptist faith, having been a member of the church of that name since his young manhood.

On September 19, 1893. the Doctor was united in marriage, at Hurley, South Dakota, with Miss

Myra Judson, whose father, Rev. T. H. Judson, was perhaps the first Baptist missionary sent to the state. Three children have blessed this un- ion, namely : James Earl, born July 13, 1894; Howard Monroe, June 27, 1896, and Joy Myra, whose birth occurred on February 8, 1901.

REV. HEINRICH P. UNRUH, one of the popular and successful farmers of Bon Homme county, was born in Volbynia, Ostrog, Russia, on the 25th of February, 1865, and is a son of Rev. Peter and Mary ( Siebert) Unruh, both of whom were likewise born in Russia, being of German lineage and speaking the German language. Their ancestors removed from Germany into south- ern Russia a number of generations ago. The father of the subject was engaged in agriculture and in service as a minister of the gospel in his native land until 1874, when he emigrated thence to America, and with his family located in Hutch- inson county, South Dakota, being one of the first settlers in that section, where he took up two hundred and twenty acres of government land, the same being entirely unreclaimed and located in the vicinity of Silver Lake. His equipment upon coming to the county consisted of a few household effects, a wagon. a yoke of oxen and two cows. He began his career here in true pio- neer style, the original family home being a rude sod house, but in due time he brought his land under profitable cultivation and made the best of improvements on the property, becoming one of the honored and successful farmers of the county, where he and his wife still maintain their residence, residing on the old homestead which has been their place of abode for the past thirty years. He is a Republican in politics and both he and his wife are members of the Mennonite church. To them were born ten children, of whom all are living, the subject having been the second in order of birth, while five of the number were born after the removal of the family to America.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 65

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1138